Apple AirPods Delayed Due to Manufacturing Issue, Not Technical Problem

Apple's AirPods are apparently delayed due to a manufacturing issue and not a technical problem as recently reported.

A recent WSJ report suggested the problem the with the AirPods was a getting the independent signals to both earbuds to remain in sync. The well sourced John Gruber of DaringFireball debunked that claim.

It makes more sense to me that Apple has run into a manufacturing problem, not that they discovered a design defect after they were announced. “More difficult to manufacture at scale than expected” is also what I’ve heard through the grapevine, from a little birdie who knows someone on the AirPods engineering team. Things like what happens when you lose one or the battery dies — Apple solved those problems during development.

Gruber also followed up on that report noting that another 'little birdie' has confirmed the same thing, an 'unexpected manufacturing problem at scale'.

So if the AirPods will be delayed, I am guessing that the Beats BeatsX (probably a better earphone) will be delayed as well. I always thought that the BeatsX would not be released until Apple has sold "x" amount of AirPod units. That is a shame; I was looking forward to owning a pair of the Beats.

No doubt Apple dropped the ball going all out announcing the AirPods launch and failing to do so at last minute... At least it didn't turn into another Galaxy Note 7 fiasco AND they pulled back without pretentious ETAs.